making memories through food, wine and travel

The FTC – Gettin’ Figgy with It

We were at the farmer’s market a few weeks ago and got some wonderfully ripe peaches and black figs. I had never seen figs at our farmer’s market before, so I snatched them right up. Believe it or not, those little gems are hard to come by. In fact, one time, Miss A and I hit five, yes five, different grocery stores to try to find them. It was an epic journey that included a down pour, stopped freight trains and a grumpy woman that literally blocked us from the figs with her cart and took every last one of the pints (and there were at least 10!). Now it’s become a running joke that we need to grab the figs before “figgy lady” finds them. (Miss A was certain she emptied out the first three stores too!)

So on our way home from the market I started thinking that the figs and peaches might be pretty good together. Then I remembered that I had clipped a bit of my mom’s sage the day before…my wheels were spinning. A quick internet search and I saw a recipe for seared figs and peaches with balsamic vinegar. Then it hit me – French toast!

So here is our next installment of French Toast Madness and our search for a champion – Peach & Fig French Toast. We started with a pretty standard French toast batter – eggs, milk and vanilla. We also tossed in some freshly grated nutmeg just for fun.

Mr. N was our whisker, while Miss A looked on. Now I don’t remember what these two were talking about while cooking, but the pictures were just too animated not to share. These are three of about 15 pictures that were all taken within about a minute.

Who knew whisking could be so much fun! The whole mess of shots I took during that conversation is priceless. I just wish I could remember what they were so animated about! Anyway, after the batter was whisked, Miss A took over for bread dipping. She’s become quite good at soaking both sides very thoroughly.

Next we heated up the griddle pan and fried up some cinnamon bacon. This was a first for us. I’d never seen cinnamon bacon before; and yes, it’s as good as it sounds.

Then it was time to cook the figs and peaches with the sage.

We melted about a tablespoon of butter in a skillet and tossed in some sage. Next we placed the peach halves flesh side down and cooked them until browned. Then we melted another tablespoon of butter, tossed in some more sage and cooked the figs the same way.

Finally we tossed our batter-soaked bread onto the griddle pan and fried that up right in the bacon grease. (As you’ve probably noticed this isn’t a diet friendly French toast.) We then served the French toast with the figs, peaches and bacon.

We scooped some creme fraiche into the center of the peach slice; and that clear liquid over the top of the bread and bacon isn’t grease, it’s a drizzle of aged white balsamic (which I could easily eat by the spoonful).

While this definitely wasn’t your typical breakfast-style French toast, it did go over pretty well. Especially with Miss A. She’s usually the toughest critic when it comes to French toast. She tends to eat more of the topping than the toast itself, but not this time. She ate it right up, the peach too! The figs weren’t quite a big seller with her or Mr. N, though they did try them.

Mike and I both enjoyed the French toast, but this one will need some tweaks if it wants to be a champion. I think next time I’ll try maple syrup in place of the balsamic. While the balsamic was delicious, I think the syrup would tie everything together a bit more. I’ll also opt to skip the creme fraiche. It just didn’t bring much to the table.

Criticisms aside, it’s still French toast and you can’t ever really go wrong with French toast. Mike, Mr. N, Miss A and I came in at 3, 3, 4 and 3 spoons respectively, but I’m not sure this one has what it takes to make it deep in the tournament. It’s got some pretty tough competition.

Now before I wish you all a great weekend, remember to vote for our next international cooking destination. The poll closes soon and it’s a VERY tight race! Happy weekend everyone and we’ll see you next week with a sweet and sour stateside adventure.

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69 thoughts on “The FTC – Gettin’ Figgy with It”

I loved the series of pictures with the kids in them. It is wonderful to set back and watch them sometimes 🙂
I love figs but I usually eat them as is 🙂 using them with french toast sounds really interesting

I, too, had been searching for figs and could only find them by the pint — and they weren’t all that nice looking, either. Then, the day before I was to leave for Michigan, I saw them for $5.99 a case!!!! I didn’t have the time to buy and prepare them so I had to leave them. I went back to that store the day after my return and bought some. Now, though, having seen this recipe, I just may have to go back there and buy more. This french toast sounds too good not to try it.
Sheesh! First it was peaches and now figs. I may never get to the apples!

Wow, how decadent is this!? Sounds amazing, and what a delicious combination of flavors. I wish my breakfasts were like this every morning–very far from, ha! Miss A and Mr. N are too cute, as usual. Naturals in the kitchen. 🙂

Your kids are so adorable, love the last pic of Ms. A. Impressive to capture 15 shots in one minute, definitely a precious moment. I too love going to the Farmer’s Market, so much fun taking the kids and picking out our fav veggies and herbs.
Gorgeous dish, I agree with you about using syrup in place of balsamic dressing.

They are endlessly photogenic. It’s fun to capture their candid moments – something blogging has helped me to keep up with! 🙂 I have a feeling you have some good stuff lying about the farmy for breakfast too though…I can just imagine some nice farm fresh eggs. Mmm!

Wow, what a breakfast indeed. One I need everyday to get me in the right start. okay so where do i begin. Love love how you cooked the figs. I personally think you were on the right track with the balsamic instead of the syrup and INDEED you can not go wrong with french toast- it is just too good to really mess up.

This is definitely a breakfast of champions in my opinion. I mean, you put bacon on a plate and I’d be happy about just about anything LOL. Mr. N and Miss A’s faces in those shots were priceless :). I hope you and your family are in good health Kristy *hugs*

Your kids look like angels, so cute. I dont have kids (maybe in the future) so I always get excited when I see very cute children.

I wish I could get figs here, have been inspired by that fruit in the last days. I can imagine that they will go well with peaches and french toast anyway. Its quite a brilliant idea though! I d love that for brunch with some herbal tea or as an after noon snack in between.

The blog hopping can be painful, because what do we do when we see such a delicious food in front of you yet you can’t reach to enjoy it. I’m at the very moment here. I only had a light breakfast this morning and your fig and peach french toast is beaming to my eyes! I need to go get figs (I got peach!) and cook in lots of butter too… drooling so bad. I can’t wait for the poll to reveal!

Wow! I rarely have time for a french toast breakfast, but we like it for dinner from time to time. And I have figs from this weekend’s produce box. I love them and we eat them fresh with no adornment, but THIS sounds so yummy! I’ll forego the craime freche then–maybe then it won’t LOOK quite so calorie laden. But let’s face it, sometimes we just don’t care about that! Ha! I would just love this, I know! 🙂 D

Even if Miss A and Mr N don’t like the figs — I bet they love telling the figgy lady story! The pictures of the two of them chatting it up while cooking has inspired me to get the girls busy in the kitchen with me a little more. Maybe they will try a few new dishes this way!

Kristy, I am chuckling as I can read in between the lines as I am sure there was a bit of disputing going on between your angels. I can picture it now… I want to whisk, why does he always get all the fun jobs. Mom she is rubbing the egg residue on my shirt… etc! Priceless! I love the sweet and savory going on with the black mission figs and pancakes and the bacon. Give this one 2 thumbs up! Take care, BAM

I wish I’d been invited to brunch. That looks so good Kristy. I love the photo of Miss A leaning on the chair. She seems quite the actress – a bit like my Arabella – oh dear! I haven’t heard of cinnamon bacon. When we buy bacon here we have a choice of bacon or rindless bacon; that’s about it. Your box from the farmer’s market looks gorgeous xx

LOL! There are definitely shades of Arabella in Miss A! 🙂 I can already imagine our clothing discussions at formal time, and I’ll know who to consult. I found this bacon at a butcher shop. Otherwise, our markets have just the basics too.

Spotty Internet service in Budapest is making it very frustrating to comment. I love so many things about this recipe: figs, peaches, sage. I’m intrigued how the earthy perfumey nature of sage played into the sweet figs and peaches. Instead of the Crème Fraiche, maybe ricotta (oh heck, it’s not a diet breakfast anyway!)
Photos are really cute. Have a great week, I’ll pop in again if I can.

I’ve only been gone for a month and Mr N and Miss A look like they’ve grown a ton! Craziness. Anyways, I am so happy you beat the Fig Lady to make this delicious dish. I wish I were more of a fig fan… but you certainly got me with the cinnamon bacon…yum!

Kristy, your photos are beautiful! Full of life and light… a true feast for the eyes in every sense. I love going to the farmers’ market – it represents the best and freshest of the season and it’s just so inspiring for a cook. I can’t think of a more timely recipe for the fall than your figs and peach – I can only imagine how delicious this would be alongside your French toast…oh look it’s 8:10 am and I haven’t had breakfast yet… any room at your table for little ol’ moi? ;-). You were very patient with figgy lady…I’m not sure I would have been that gracious…scuse me, coming through… ;-).

I think the last pic of Miss A is telling the whole story of their whisking conversation! That one really made me giggle! How interesting you’ve not been able to find figs! I’ve been buying them at Whole Foods and Trader Joes here, but honestly am so missing my Italian Market in Florida. Nothing I’ve found here can compare…but on to looking forward not backward 🙂
I was getting excited over your thought process with the peaches, figs and sage…and definitely love this combination!! I think this was a timely post for a weekend breakfast of french toast with peaches, figs and sage! I’m going to go the syrup route for the french toast but I’m also going to try that mix with balsamic to top a salad!! You’ve just given me two great recipes!!

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Having returned from our 7-month European sabbatical, we're returning to the kitchens and neighborhoods in our own backyard with a focus on culture, education, history and delicious food. #EatPlayWorld

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